The injury clouds over the Lions' Super 15 opener on Saturday against the Cheetahs have dissipated enough for the Currie Cup champions to select a side that closely resembles the one that brought them glory in October.

Only three of the starters then have failed to return.

James Kamana starts on the left wing in the place of final hero Michael Killian, who is on the bench after Lionel Mapoe pulled a hamstring in training yesterday.

Cobus Grobbelaar starts at flank instead of Michael Rhodes, while hooker Callie Visagie and loosehead prop JC Janse van Rensburg earn places at the expense of Bandise Maku and CJ van der Linde.

The Lions have not dabbled in the transfer market with the glee of some of their rivals and they will hope the continuity in selection and momentum that propelled them to the Currie Cup crown provides them with some go-forward in the Super 15.

"We can't dwell on what has happened, but we have to take confidence from the Currie Cup," stressed captain Josh Strauss.

Coach John Mitchell wants his team to play the same quick tempo game that brought them much reward last year.

"Our brand of rugby was really exciting and was very different to what we saw from the other teams in our conference. I'd be very surprised if we aren't hungry for success after last year," he said.

TEAM: Jaco Taute, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Alwyn Hollenbach, James Kamana, Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio, Joshua Strauss (captain), Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden/Hendrik Roodt, Patric Cilliers, Callie Visagie, JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, CJ van der Linde, Hendrik Roodt/Stephan Greeff, Warren Whiteley; Tiaan Meyer, Butch James, Michael Killian.